The term Animal Cruelty refers to infliction of excessive and uncalled for pain on the non human animal species by humans. The debate on using animals for various clinical and scientific experiments has led to the creation of animal right activist groups worldwide. It is really very necessary to prevent animal cruelty in order to become more humane.
There exists much controversy and conflict of opinions regarding the use of animals in tests and experiments. While the researchers and scientists feel that animals can be used for medical and research purposes, their view is strongly refuted by the animal lovers and animal rights activists. The latter believe that human beings have no right to treat animals as commodities. They too have life and the right to live properly and stay secured. In recent times, the movement against Animal Cruelty has gained momentum with many media persons and celebrities supporting the animal rights entities.
The Animal Cruelty laws vary from one nation to another but a lot of countries have imposed ban on showing cruelty to the animals. This is indeed a very correct procedure to stop animal cruelty practice. In the countries like UK, cruelty to animals is seen as a serious criminal offence and if one violates the laws he may face imprisonment. The law of UK also considers a person guilty if he happens to run over an animal.
In recent times, the use of animals in circuses has created much controversy. The animal rights groups have pointed out the unacceptable way the animals are trained in unhygienic conditions and whipped mercilessly. Following these allegations, some countries like India, Finland, Sweden, Costa Rica, and Austria have imposed severe restrictions on the use of animals for entertainment purposes. Due to the Animal Cruelty laws, some circuses have resorted to presenting animal free entertainments in their shows.
There are some psychologically troubled people who inflict pain on domestic animals willingly for pressurizing other people. The kids who are marked for animal cruelty hail from families with relationship problems. Some films have also drawn flak from the animal rights activists for their real life depiction of animal killing and torturing. In this context, ‘Cannibal Holocaust’, an Italian movie deserves a mention. It depicts Animal Cruelty in its extreme form and animals like turtle, monkeys are shown to be killed in a grotesque manner. this has to be stopped.
In the recent controversies related to Animal Cruelty, the popular online video publishing and sharing site YouTube has come under the scanner for hosting offensive videos. Particularly, the footages of one animal feeding on another have brought the site brickbats from the animal lovers worldwide.
It is only the effort of the animal lovers that can stop humans from becoming extremely cruel towards the animals. If the level of torture is not reduced or stopped, the number of animals would soon reduce in the world.
